Pitt Football
Five Pitt Offensive Individual Stat Line Predictions
Pitt football is out with the old and in with the new on offense.
This isn’t an old-school, run-first offense that the Panthers have shelled out for over the past few seasons. Instead, it will be an up-tempo, no-huddle approach that should feature a lot more plays than the average of 59.6 per game last season — the third-lowest in the FBS.
Offensive coordinator Kade Bell expressed that his standard is scoring 50 points per game, so there should be plenty of football to go around for the Panthers playmakers.
With that, it’s time to tackle five individual stat line predictions and a realistic number on how much the offense will score.
Eli Holstein (10) of the Pittsburgh Panthers April 13, 2024 David Hague/PSN
Quarterback Eli Holstein | 2,200 Passing Yards | 16 Passing TDs | 300 Rush Yards | 5 Rush TDs
Let’s start this off with a bang. All fall camp long, there has been speculation at the quarterback position. Will it be Nate Yarnell or Eli Holstein to start the season for the Panthers? That’s still to be seen.
However, there are some increasing thoughts that Holstein could eventually supplant Yarnell this season. The Panthers can’t afford to wait as long to make a quarterback change as they did last year. That being said, I have a feeling that Holstein is going to see some significant playing time this year between snaps against Kent State, at Cincinnati, if Yarnell happens to miss any time with injury or if Holstein simply takes over the starting job.
He has the tools to be an all-around quarterback with a good, accurate arm, along with mobility to run it as well. Between three quarterbacks last season, none of them neared 2,000 passing yards — Christian Veilleux registered 1,179 yards.
With the new offensive style, Holstein could rack up yards quickly by getting the ball out in a hurry on short routes and then eventually taking the top off. His legs will play a factor as well, matching Kenny Pickett’s five rushing touchdowns he recorded in 2021.
RODNEY HAMMOND JR. GOT LOOSE FOR THE 66-YD TD 😤 pic.twitter.com/coUiW4qYHL
— ESPN (@espn) November 17, 2023
Running Back Rodney Hammond Jr. | 900 Rushing Yards | 6 Rushing TDs
Pitt’s ground game struggled mightily last season between inconsistency at the offensive line and, at times, poor running. With a better balance between the pass and run this season, the ground attack should see an improvement with Rodney Hammond Jr. leading the way.
Hammond ran for 547 yards last season — the most in a single season — in 12 games. He rushed for five touchdowns in both of his first two seasons.
The senior had a chance to put up big numbers during his sophomore season, but he was limited to eight games.
2024 will be his true breakout season. He won’t quite reach the 1,000-yard mark thanks to another season of running back by committee with Desmond Reid, Derrick Davis Jr. and Daniel Carter, but Hammond will take charge of the ground game.
We’ve seen flashes of what Hammond can do all the way back to his freshman year to a 66-yard touchdown run against Boston College towards the end of last season. He has the speed and elusiveness, now it’s a matter of putting it all together this year.
Pittsburgh Panthers tight end Gavin Bartholomew (86) Sept 10, 2022 David Hague/PSN
Tight End Gavin Bartholomew | 45 Receptions | 650 Receiving Yards | 6 Receiving TDs
I’m very bullish on Gavin Bartholomew this year. Who wouldn’t be? Bartholomew had suitors calling for him to leave the program this offseason, but his loyalty to the program was priority No. 1. If that doesn’t speak of the type of player he is, then I don’t know what does. He also couldn’t stomach leaving Pitt after the way things unraveled last year.
Bartholomew might be one of the most athletic and talented tight ends in the entire country. Now, it’s time to give him the ball he has so desperately deserved the last two seasons. The senior has been shamefully underutilized the last two seasons.
He should be the featured piece in the offense. The crown jewel. He will nearly double his single-season receptions, yards and collect a career-high six touchdowns this season. I’ll even add on that he will earn first-team All-ACC honors.
Pittsburgh Panthers wide receiver Konata Mumpfield (9) September 9, 2023 David Hague/PSN
Wide Receiver Konata Mumpfield | 80 Receptions | 1,100 Receiving Yards | 9 Receiving TDs
Despite being named a Freshman All-American in 2021 at Akron, Konata Mumpfield has yet to post a 1,000-yard receiving season. He is a talented wide out and Pitt’s lackluster quarterback situation prevented him from putting together a better output last year.
There’s a reason he was voted as an offensive captain. He has an undeniable work ethic and his skillset backs it up with great route running and sure hands. He is heading into the season as the unmistaken No. 1 wide receiver and will put up numbers as such.
Not only will he reach the end zone more than any other Panther this season, he will also add on a significant chunk of yards after the catch. He’s another weapon that can place on the All-ACC teams, either the first or second team.
— Raphael Williams Jr. (@Poppi1k) August 22, 2024
Wide Receiver Raphael “Poppi” Williams Jr. | 33 Receptions | 600 Receiving Yards | 5 Receiving TDs
You know what is achievable with Bartholomew and Mumpfield, but when it comes to Raphael “Poppi” Williams, he could be a true X-factor for this Panthers team. When you need him the most, he will be there.
He has tremendous acceleration and speed and will be a key piece in the slot for the Panthers. On top of that, he knows Kade Bell’s offense. He played for him at Tusculum (DII) and then followed him to Western Carolina, where he combined for 1,617 yards in two seasons.
He fits this scheme and has the potential to be a big-time playmaker for the Panthers this season.
One offensive stat prediction | Panthers will average 27.4 points per game
There’s no doubt that Pitt’s offense will be improved, but how far can it really go? The aforementioned 50 points per game is a far-fetched dream. Even 40 points is a tough ask after scoring just 20.2 points per game last season.
Yes, it’s an interesting number to throw out there. Pitt will score points this season, but it will manage to be just shy of the 27.5-point mark, so that’s where I stand.
With a new offensive game plan, Weeks 2 and 3 will still be a breaking-in period, so I don’t expect them to put up anything outlandish during those games. Once ACC play starts, this offense should be ready to roll, but I still believe there will be some ebbs and flows to this offense.
The uncertainty at the quarterback position during the first few weeks could play a factor into how many points are scored. And all of it relies on how healthy the offense can stay and how disciplined they can be.
